So I’m beginning to realize that I’m falling in love with Europe….. All over again. I think mine and Europe’s relationship is kind of like a Hollywood love story.

The first time I came over here was for Topolino. I was a freshmen in high school. I remember when I got off the plane I could not wait to run threw customs get outside explore! The jet lag never really hit me then, I was too exited to see everything to be tired, and to be honest that’s the last time I raced really well over here. I compare my first experience to when the main character in a Hollywood love stories flirts with the extremely hot girl for the first time….He walks away thinking he is in love…she turns her back and says you have no chance bud.

My next trip to Europe a few years later was called the new comers trip. This time we went racing little kid races…it was time to try and race some F.I.S races over here. I was exited again to get over to Europe…I felt the jet lag this time, but I didn’t mind it, I was ready to rip in Europe. Well thought races didn’t go so well…but I was ok with it. I took it as a learning experience and was still totally in love with Europe. Just like in a the movie where the guy finds out the girl is with someone else but still wants to be (friends).

My next to trips to Europe were hell. They were in my sr. year of high school and the year after. I raced a few europa cups, got my butt kicked, fell a lot, and this time I couldn’t even start to handle the jet lag. I don’t think I ever got on the right sleeping schedule. I compare it to the part in the movie where the guy begins to see that the girl he built up to be this amazing person…was really just hot but dumb, and kind of a bitch.

So through the next few years I came over to Europe and loved the skiing part of it. Although I very rarely had a race day over here that I was happy with. I tried to open my eyes to the great experiences it was giving me. But most of the time I fond myself counting the days until I would get on the plane home…so I could eat a burger, kiss and American girl and watch some sport center. Kind of like the part of the movie where the guy just tries to be nice to the girl even though he really isn’t that into her and sees the friendship going nowhere fast.

But my last trip to Europe last year was different. I started to be able to handle the jet lag again. I started to feel comfortable with getting around here. I was communicating with the people a little bit better, and most of all, I started loving the food. Just like in the love stories when the guy realizes that the girl isn’t a bitch, she was just playing hard to get…making him work a little…seeing if he was in it for the long run.

So the start of this trip as been amazing. I’ve gone to the places I know pretty well by now and have seen old friends that I still can’t really talk to…but are still exited to see me. I’ve had all the food that I have craved for and been missing all summer. And the jet lag is still there…but I can handle it. I love Europe again. Now in are little love stories this is where the girl is supposed to start loving the guy back…..she might still have a few tricks up her sleave though….
But don’t worry, I’m showing Europe I’m in this thing for the long hall…..

Until next time…keep it smooth
Will